KABUL, Afghanistan, July 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Roshan, Afghanistan's leading total communications provider, announced today that it received awards and special commendations at both the 2014 Asia Communication Awards (ACA) and the 2014 Financial Times/International Finance Corporation (FT/IFC) Transformational Business Awards.

Roshan received the "Social Contribution Award" at the 2014 Asia Communications Awards for the social impact of its Telemedicine program, which leverages the company's broadband and wireless infrastructure to build and improve Afghanistan's healthcare system by linking hospitals and medical specialists across the country. In addition, the company received a commendation for the "Best Brand Campaign Award" for its "New Heights" brand campaign, which celebrated Roshan's ten year anniversary of operations in Afghanistan and its role as a partner in the country's reconstruction and economic development.

"In 2003, we came into Afghanistan when very few people were willing to invest in the country and have since strived to build a world-class company that also makes a significant social impact in every community in which we operate," said Chief Operating Officer, Altaf Ladak. "We've done this with our Telemedicine program and saved many lives as a result. This past year, Roshan launched the New Heights campaign to highlight the impact that Roshan has had and the tremendous progress that has been made in Afghanistan and to reaffirm our commitment to the country at a time when people are nervous about the country's political and security situation. Roshan means 'hope,' and that was the impetus behind both of these endeavors."

Roshan was also given special commendation for "Achievement in Information and Communications Technology" at the 2014 FT/IFC Transformational Business Awards. The commendation was in recognition of the company's transformative business solutions and success in harnessing the power of technology to address critical infrastructure gaps, including recently securing $65 million in financing from IFC to develop a 3G network in Afghanistan.

"When Roshan began operations, we sought to use the power of mobile technology as a tool to aid in the reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan," said Chief Executive Officer, Karim Khoja. "Roshan has since invested nearly $600 million and today we are the country's largest mobile operator with over 6 million customers. Roshan is honored to be recognized by the international community for our achievements, and for the power of our message, not only as a telecommunications company, but as a catalyst for social and economic development," Khoja added.

In addition to these prestigious recognitions, Roshan recently took home the "Best Rewards & Incentives Program" award at the Insights Middle East Call Centre Awards. Roshan is the only operator in Afghanistan to maintain a dedicated call center for women, ensuring equal opportunity and security for its female employees while providing a safe environment for female subscribers to seek customer assistance. Investment in this call center signals Roshan's efforts to empower Afghan women and recognition of cultural sensitivities.

"We believe in the power of telecommunications to bring about measurable change," Khoja also said. "We've witnessed it first-hand in Afghanistan, and these prestigious awards reinforce Roshan's impact in Afghanistan over the last ten years and for many years to come," he added.

About Roshan

Roshan (Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Corp) is Afghanistan's leading total communications provider with nearly six million active subscribers and a network that covers over 240 cities and towns in all of the country's 34 provinces.

Roshan is a true Afghanistan success story, serving as a catalyst for economic growth and actively contributing to the country's long-term development. Since its inception ten years ago, Roshan has invested nearly $600 million in Afghanistan and is the country's single largest investor and taxpayer, contributing approximately five percent of the Afghan government's overall domestic revenue. Roshan directly employs more than 1,100 people, 19 percent of whom are women, and provides indirect employment to more than 30,000 people.

Roshan is deeply committed to Afghanistan's reconstruction and development. The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), part of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a major shareholder of Roshan and promotes private initiatives and building economically sound enterprises in the developing world. Also owned in part by Monaco Telecom International (MTI) and TeliaSonera, Roshan brings international expertise to the country and is committed to the highest standards of network quality and coverage for the people of Afghanistan.